About Us

Empowering You with the
Legal Support You Deserve.

What's in a name?

In the 1970's in London, England a family was divorcing. The case was McKenzie v McKenzie. One party had legal counsel; the other couldn't afford it. The self-representing litigant requested permission from the Justice to have a support person attend at trial with her. The Justice granted the request; a support person was permitted to sit at the table with the litigant, while not able to provide legal representation in the higher court was permitted to take notes, help keep her friend organized, hand her documents etc. This support person, has become known as "a McKenzie Friend".

As insured and registered members of the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals, we subscribe to, and are accountable to the Association’s professional ethics standards. We bring extensive knowledge and professionalism to every case. While we do not provide legal advice, we can connect you with trusted lawyers for legal consultations you may require. Our services are designed to be cost-effective compared to traditional legal representation, making it easier for you to access the help you need.

There are numerous tasks paralegals are able to perform without working for a lawyer. We, at McKenzie Legal Services, provide direct access to paralegals to assist you in achieving your goals, without paying exorbitant legal fees.

Our Vision

To be an integral part of a justice system where all Albertans can access cost-effective, professional, knowledgeable legal services to achieve just results.

Our Mission

We offer cost-effective legal support services with personalized attention to assist individuals and families with their legal requirements.

A book and a clock image

Meet Ryan, Owner, Operator

Hello and Welcome!

I am Ryan McDougall, a mediator and paralegal with McKenzie Legal Services. I have worked in family law for the last 23 years, mediating for the last 12 years. I graduated from Red Deer College’s Legal Assistant Program in 2001, then from Athabasca University with a Bachelor of Professional Arts degree, majoring in Governance, Law & Management, then from Royal Roads University with a Master of Arts in Justice Studies. Working in a law firm for 20 years on divorce and family law files showed me there is a better way for families to figure out how to live separately. So here we are. McKenzie Legal Services is here to provide families with a smart alternative to fighting it out in Court and giving their power (and their money) away. I am passionate about saving families time, energy and money as they navigate through changes and I look forward to meeting new clients.
Ryan McDougall

Meet our team

We focus on hope, helping and teamwork.

RYAN MCDOUGALL, Q.MED, PM

The Mediator

Ryan has spent 20 years working in law firms on family law files involving separation and divorce. It was costly and broke families down further than before they walked through the doors. She knew there was a better way. In 2012 Ryan completed her Conflict Dispute Resolution Certification with Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Alberta and has had a successful practice mediating separating families ever since. Ryan holds a Q.Med designation with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Alberta and Canada as well as a PM designation with Alberta Family Mediation Society and Family Mediation of Canada.

Ryan McDougall, CLC
The Legal Coach
The vast majority of Ryan's career has been spent dealing with clients who have, at one point in time or another, had to represent themselves in Court. A Legal Coach is there to meet with you regularly, discuss your matter and your goals and keep you focused and forward moving. With Ryan's legal background, she is able to provide the legal information and translations relating to filing deadlines, court processes and documents needed to accomplish what you set as your goal. As your Legal Coach, Ryan will not be advising you what to do legally, but rather helping you determine what your ultimate goals are then support you in achieving them. Ryan is a member of the Legal Coaching Association.
Ryan McDougall, ARP
Ryan The Paralegal
Ryan graduated from the Legal Assistant Diploma Program at Red Deer College in 2001 and has worked as a full time family law paralegal in law firms since 2001 through 2020. Ryan completed her Bachelor of Professional Arts Degree majoring in Governance, Law & Management and her Master’s Degree in Justice Studies. Ryan sits on the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals Board of Directors. Ryan is a paralegal, not a lawyer, and will not advise you as to what to ask for in Court, what she believes to be in your best interest, or the likelihood of success. If you are needing or wanting legal advice and opinions, Ryan has a professional circle of lawyers who she trusts and respects and will provide you referrals for legal advice.

DEB MURPHY

Office Administrator/Chaos Coordinator

Deb is passionate about helping others through tough times. She is our frontline, soft space to land, full of information, and friendly office administrator. Deb holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and is currently attending Red Deer Polytechnic completing the Legal Assistant program. Deb spends her spare time…what spare time? She is a busy mom of 3 teenagers and an active community volunteer in additional to being a great partner always on the lookout for an adventure.

CHRISTINE SAVOY, ARP, CLC

The Paralegal

Christine Savoy comes from a farm in rural central Alberta. After graduating from Red Deer College in 1993, she began her legal assistant career in Red Deer working for a sole practitioner. Over the next 20 years as technology advanced, and she worked in Calgary and Edmonton in law firms specializing in Family law/Divorces and Wills and Estates. Christine holds a designation of a Alberta Registered Paralegal with the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals and also received her Legal Coaching designation in 2022. Christine resides in Edmonton with her two teenagers. She loves going back to the farm to visit family and loves reading, swimming and watching baseball. Christine is a paralegal, not a lawyer, and will not advise you as to what to ask for in Court, what she believes to be in your best interest, or the likelihood of success. If you are needing or wanting legal advice and opinions, then she will provide a referral to a professional lawyer who is trusted and respected and will provide you referrals for legal advice.

SABRINA PARSONS

Corporate Paralegal

Sabrina grew up in small town Alberta. In 1999 she started attending Red Deer College and took their Legal Assistant program, graduating on the Dean’s List in 2001. After graduation she started as the sole legal assistant working in wills and estates for a few years before switching firms. She worked in a general practice doing litigation, real estate, collections, and more wills and estates. Finally, in 2007 she settled on working almost exclusively in corporate law and found her niche. Her previous experience in other areas of law gave her the background to be successful in corporate law with its myriad of intersecting areas, especially estate planning and real estate. Sabrina lives in Southern Aberta and spends most of her free time driving her son around to various soccer fields all over Alberta. The rest of her time is usually spent with her nose in a book. Sabrina has her designation as a Registered Paralegal with the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals. Sabrina is a paralegal, not a lawyer, and will not provide legal or tax advice on corporate transactions, or what she thinks is in your best interest from a tax or legal perspective. If you need or want legal or accounting advice or opinions, then she will provide you with a referral to a professional lawyer and/or professional accountant who is trusted and respected and will assist you with questions regarding taxation and legal matters.

Ready to Take Control of Your Legal Matters?

At McKenzie Legal Services, we're here to provide expert guidance and support tailored to your unique situation. Whether you need help with mediation, legal coaching, or document preparation, our experienced team is ready to assist you.